Summary
This Mendelian randomisation study assessed whether genetically predicted selenium levels have a causal effect on three forms of autoimmune thyroid disease using genome-wide association study data. The analysis found no significant causal associations between selenium and autoimmune thyroiditis (OR 0.993), autoimmune hyperthyroidism (OR 1.066), or Graves' disease (OR 1.052), with sensitivity analyses confirming robustness. The authors conclude that indiscriminate selenium supplementation is not recommended for autoimmune thyroid disease patients without documented deficiency.
Regional applicability
The study used international GWAS data (IEU Open GWAS and FinnGen), making findings broadly applicable across populations of European descent. Applicability to United Kingdom clinical practice is high, though the recommendation against indiscriminate supplementation should be contextualised within UK dietary reference values and screening protocols for selenium deficiency in at-risk groups.
Key measures
Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals for selenium exposure on autoimmune thyroiditis, autoimmune hyperthyroidism, and Graves' disease; MR-Egger intercept; Cochran's Q test for heterogeneity; leave-one-out sensitivity analysis
Outcomes reported
The study examined whether genetically predicted selenium levels have a causal relationship with autoimmune thyroiditis, autoimmune hyperthyroidism, and Graves' disease using Mendelian randomisation. Causal associations were assessed via inverse variance weighted, MR-Egger, and weighted median methods.
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